Almost 1

Chapter 1 

288 Vouchers 

When I was sixteen, I was just a farm girl picking corn under the scorching sun. 

He showed up in a flashy car, cigarette between his lips, arguing with his girlfriend, 

“You really wanna break up?” 

The girl laughed coldly. 

“If I weren’t trying to get close to your brother, I’d never waste time on a spoiled rich boy like you. Go ask around- who would ever love someone like you?” 

He clenched his jaw, furious, then turned and pointed at me. 

“You! I’ll pay for your school, buy you clothes, give you everything. All you have to do is love me. Deal?” 

I didn’t even blink. 

“Sure!” 

That was how it started. 

Seven years passed. Austin Vancott kept his promise. 

He paid for my education. Got me tutors, music lessons, language classes. Whatever I wanted to learn, he made it happen. 

He bought me a car when I graduated. A house. He even practiced driving with me every day that summer. 

People stopped calling me a country girl. 

Now they said I was the girl Austin raised to be his wife. His “child bride.” The one he’d handpicked and carefully groomed. 

Then Ruth Grimley came back. 

The girl who once dumped him and disappeared overseas suddenly returned. The first thing she did was confess her feelings–to Austin’s older brother, Evan. 

He rejected her. 

Few people knew Ruth had been in love with Evan all along. And when he turned her down, she called Austin in 

tears. 

“Austin… I’m back.” 

Just like that, everything changed. 

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06.01 

Chapter 1 

288 Vouchers 

She kept getting her heart broken, and Austin kept picking up the pieces. 

He was angry. Bitter. 

She wanted his brother, and she didn’t even hide it. But still–he couldn’t turn her away. 

So he came to me. 

“Go after Evan,” he said. “If Ruth sees him dating someone else, maybe she’ll finally let him go.” 

I didn’t answer right away. 

How could I? 

This man had raised me, sheltered me, given me everything. 

For seven years, he’d called himself my guardian, but everyone else called me something else–his secret, his future, the girl he kept. 

And now, he wanted to give me away. 

To his brother. 

Every day after that, he sent flowers. Designer bags. Luxury perfumes. 

My coworkers thought he was trying to win me over. 

“I always knew there was something between you two,” one said. “He treats you like royalty. You’re basically mar- ried already.” 

I smiled, said nothing. 

Then he called again, voice light like it was just another favor. 

“Did the flowers arrive? You like them?” 

“Yes,” I murmured. 

“If you really don’t want to do this, I get it. I-” He sighed. “Just forget it.” 

“I’ll do it.” 

There was silence. 

“What?” 

“What you asked me to do–I’ll do it.” 

Then he laughed. “Alright. If it doesn’t work out, so be it. I’ll still take care of you. For life.” 

He added, almost gently, “They’ve introduced Evan to dozens of women. He’s never liked any of them. But you–he’s nicer to you. It’s the only reason I asked.” 

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06:01 

Chapter 1 

I looked up at the moon outside my window. My heart felt like it was breaking, but I kept my voice steady. 

“Okay.” 

I heard the flick of his lighter. He was smoking again. 

Then, his voice: 

“Miley. Can I ask you something?” 

I waited. 

“Is there someone you like?” 

1 paused. 

“Does it matter?” 

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“It does. If you like someone else, I won’t ask you to do this. I don’t want to ruin your life for my own selfish rea- 

sons.” 

I looked at the bouquet on my desk. Roses. Just like the ones he used to send Ruth. Each one probably cost more than I made in a week. 

I pressed my lips together. 

“No. There isn’t.”